https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2775-7930
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ABSTRACT
This study explores the feasibility of solar desalination using black powder coated crushed granite stone, evaluating their energetic, exergetic, and economic aspects, wherein the stone bed preheats water for the solar still. In addition, the system integrates with a district heating network to meet desalination needs during off-solar or high-demand hours in which water from the powder-stone grid’s outlet flows through a heat exchanger, powered by district heating’s return flow. Desalination pipe absorbs heat and cools district heating line. The outcomes illustrated that cumulative distilled water for a water depth of 1 cm was 13.1% and 28.2% higher than cumulative distilled water for water depths of 2 cm and 3 cm, respectively. The energy efficiency was improved by 9.5% and 15.7% and the exergy efficiency was enhanced to 13.6% and 27.2% at 1 cm water depth compared to 2 and 3 cm water depths. The integration of the system with the district heating network could lead to a great improvement in the productivity; summer’s low district heating demand allows surplus heat to boost water production and lower outlet water temperature, benefiting both desalination and cooling process. The cumulative productivity will not be sensitive to the water depth anymore, increasing up to 105%, 135%, and 182% for 1, 2, and 3 cm water depths, respectively. This integration has a fascinating effect on the reduction in temperature of the district heating return flow (about 3°C), improving the cooling potential of the flow.
Nomenclature
| A | = | Surface area, m2 |
| E | = | Energy, W |
| Ex | = | Exergy, W |
| I(t) | = | Solar radiation, W/m2 |
| h | = | Heat transfer coefficient, W/m2K |
| L | = | Latent heat of evaporation, kJ/kg |
| m | = | Productivity, kg |
| T | = | Temperature, K |
| Greek symbol | = | |
| ɳ | = | Efficiency |
| Subscripts | = | |
| a | = | Ambient |
| ave | = | Average |
| eva | = | Evaporation |
| g | = | Glass |
| in | = | Energy input |
| out | = | Energy output |
| s | = | Sun |
| ss | = | Solar still |
| w | = | Water |
| Abbreviations | = | |
| AT | = | Ambient Temperature |
| BPCGS-CSS | = | Black Powder coated Crushed Granite Stone assisted Conventional Solar Still |
| CSS | = | Conventional Solar Still |
| CGST | = | Crushed Granite Stone Temperature |
| CP | = | Cumulative production |
| EnEf | = | Energy Efficiency |
| ExEf | = | Exergy Efficiency |
| FWT | = | Feed Water Temperature |
| GT | = | Glass Temperature |
| HP | = | Hourly Productivity |
| PBP | = | Payback Period |
| SI | = | Solar irradiation |
| USD | = | United States Dollar |
| WD | = | Water Depth |
| WT | = | Water Temperature |
| WV | = | Wind Velocity |
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Ramasamy Dhivagar
Dr. Ramasamy Dhivagar received his B.E. (Mechanical Engineering) and M.E. (Energy Engineering) degrees from Kumaraguru College of Technology, Coimbatore, India in 2014 and 2016, respectively. Furthermore, he obtained his Ph.D. (Energy Engineering – Solar Energy) degree from Anna University, Chennai, India in 2021. He is currently employed as an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at QIS College of Engineering and Technology in Ongole, India. His research interests include thermal systems and renewble energy.
Shahin Shoeibi
Dr. Shahin Shoeibi received the Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering from Islamic azad university, Iran, in 2019. He is expert in the field of energy conversion, specially solar energy applications.
Hadi Kargarsharifabad
Dr. Hadi Kargarsharifabad received the Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering from Science and research Branch, Tehran, Iran, in 2013. His research interests include experimental, analytical and numerical in heat transfer and fluid flow. He is currently an Associate Professor in the Production and recycling of materials and energy research center, Qom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran.
Meisam Sadi
Dr. Meisam Sadi was born in Azadshahr, Iran, in 1982. He received an M.Sc. degree in Mechanical Engineering- Fluid Mechanic and Heat Transfer in 2009 and also, a Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering-Energy Conversion from Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran, in 2013. He is currently pursuing his career as an assistant professor. His field of interest is data analysis in Renewable Energy, cooling processes, solar energy, and energy systems.
Ahmad Arabkoohsar
Dr. Ahmad Arabkoohsar received his PhD degree in mechanical engineering from Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil. Then, he worked as a postdoctoral fellow, assistant professor, and associate professor at some of the top European universities, namely, Aarhus University, Eindhoven University of Technology, and Aalborg University. Dr. Arabkoohsar is currently a Senior Researcher (Associate Professor) at the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering of Technical University of Denmark (DTU Construct). His main field of research includes thermodynamic modeling and optimization of thermal energy systems and energy storage systems.
Mehdi Khiadani
Dr. Mehdi Khiadani I am a A/Professor in the School of Engineering at Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Western Australia with several years of experience in the academic and consulting professions both in Australia and overseas. My industry and research contributions include environmental fluid mechanics and hydraulic engineering.